County Social Service Director Tami Chrest, Crystal Labatore, and Kelsey Stratton received the award. The department also presented a recognition certificate to regional representative Tracy Follman, who is employed by the state agency.

Currently, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps about 53,290 qualifying low-income North Dakotans pay for food. Almost half of the program participants are children; many others are elderly or have disabilities.

Individuals can apply for the program online at www.nd.gov/dhs/onlineserv/ or at their county social service office. If they qualify, individuals receive a special debit card, which can be used to purchase food items only.

In June 2015, the federally-funded program provided 49 households in Renville County with nearly $12,700 in benefits that were used to purchase food at local grocers.